Method of producing a microtube

Abstract

A method of producing a microtube is provided. The method comprising co-electrospinning two polymeric solutions through co-axial capillaries to thereby produce the microtube, wherein a first polymeric solution of the two polymeric solutions is for forming a shell of the microtube and a second polymeric solution of the two polymeric solutions is for forming a coat over an internal surface of the shell, the first polymeric solution is selected solidifying faster than the second polymeric solution and a solvent of the second polymeric solution is selected incapable of dissolving the first polymeric solution. Also provided are electrospun microtubes.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of producing a microtube, the method comprising: co-electrospinning two polymeric solutions through co-axial capillaries to thereby produce the microtube, wherein a first polymeric solution of said two polymeric solutions is for forming a shell of the microtube and a second polymeric solution of said two polymeric solutions is for forming a coat over an internal surface of said shell, said first polymeric solution is selected solidifying faster than said second polymeric solution and a solvent of said second polymeric solution is selected incapable of dissolving said first polymeric solution, wherein a thickness of said shell is from about 100 nm to about 20 micrometer, and wherein an internal diameter of the microtube is from about 50 nm to about 50 micrometer. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said co-electrospinning comprises a one-step co-electrospinning for producing the microtube. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a solvent of said first polymeric solution evaporates faster than a solvent of said second polymeric solution. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electrospinning is effected using a rotating collector. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a solvent of said second polymeric solution is capable of evaporating through said internal surface of said shell. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second polymeric solution is capable of wetting said internal surface of said shell. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of said shell is from about 200 nm to about 10 micrometer. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein an internal diameter of the microtube is from about 50 nm to about 20 micrometer. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method of  claim 1 , wherein said second polymeric solution comprises a surface active polymer. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first polymeric solution comprises polyethylene glycol (PEG). 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said shell comprises pores. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said microtube is filled with a liquid. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein said liquid is blood. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first and said second polymeric solutions are biocompatible. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first polymeric solution comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly (e-caprolactone) (PCL), polyamide, poly(siloxane), poly(silicone), poly(ethylene), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(2-hydroxy ethylmethacrylate), poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl acetate), polyacrylamide, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(methacrylic acid), polylactide, polyglycolide, poly(lactide-coglycolide), polyanhydride, polyorthoester, poly(carbonate), poly(acrylo nitrile), poly(ethylene oxide), polyaniline, polyvinyl carbazole, polystyrene, poly(vinyl phenol), polyhydroxyacid, poly(caprolactone), polyanhydride, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyurethane, collagen, albumin, alginate, chitosan, starch and hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second polymeric solution comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl acetate), polyacrylamide, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(methacrylic acid), polylactide polyglycolide, poly(lactide-coglycolide), polyanhydride, polyorthoester, poly(carbonate), poly(ethylene oxide), polyaniline, polyvinyl carbazole, polystyrene, poly(vinyl phenol), polyhydroxyacid, alginate, starch and hyaluronic acid.